Joe Shaw Rugby player
Joe Shaw born 20 February 1980 in Birmingham, West Midlands, England is a rugby union player for Newcastle Falcons in the Guinness Premiership.Shaw joined the Falcons from Northampton Saints in the summer of 2002.Born in the West Midlands, he had previously played for Sale Sharks as a youngster, having won England representative honours at Under-18s, 19s and 21s. Graduating to the full England sevens squad in 2001, a utility player, his broad to the game has seen him play at fullback, in the centres and on the wing, despite his limited pace.A memorable moment for many will be the try he scored in the Falcons' victorious 2004 Powergen Cup win over former club Sale at Twickenham, with his over the top diving celebration as he crossed the line.A recurring ankle injury picked up early in the campaign saw him miss much of the 2004/5 season, restricting him to six starts and five outings from the bench. Furthermore, ongoing conflicts between Shaw and the Newcastle Falcons coaching staff have seen him overlooked for selection.Despite having a full year remaining on his contract, Joe Shaw has been released by the Falcons by "mutual consent" and as yet Shaw has not signed for another club.Shaw has used his time away from playing rugby to help the Falcons Community Foundation to good effect, winning the Falcons community award three years in a row from 2004 to 2006, while he was also named Powergen Community Player of the Season for 2006-7.Away from the Falcons, he coached local side Westoe RFC, along with former Falcons star Richard Arnold.